Beyond the Gates

Prologue

The sun beat down on her, warming her skin to an unbearable temperature. Her knees shook and she did the best she could to keep her nerves under control. No one uttered a single word this morning as she prepared to leave her house for the Monitors building. 

She passed her family, avoiding their expressions as she followed the Guardian Officials. They escorted her down the dirt paths, walking past each residential home and business, while the people stared at her through closed windows. 

Fourteenth birthdays were meant for celebrating at home, eating sweets, and opening a few handmade presents from her family. Instead, she paraded through the streets of the Outpost, her first day in her new role as Speaker. 

Speaker! 

The title weighed on her as if an invisible, gold-laden crown sat precariously on her head. It wasn’t a role she wanted. Who was she to inherit such an honorable position? 

The Guardian paused at the door and faced her. “Renna James, welcome to the Monitors.”

He pulled back a heavy wooden door that creaked as it opened. He gestured for her to go first. In the center of the old, outdated room were a desk, chair, and the intercom system. Her gaze swept around the room, but nothing else stood out as interesting. Just chairs, cables, and other technology that Renna had only read about in the Books of the Past. 

“Take a seat.” 

Renna did as instructed, too nervous to ask what she had to do next. The Guardian bowed his head to her and left, shutting the door behind him. 

Within seconds, it opened again, and a boy — perhaps a few years older than her — emerged, carrying a thick envelope. He stopped in front of the desk and handed it to her. “Welcome to the Monitors.”

“Thank you.” Renna raised a shaky hand and accepted the package, turned it over, and broke the wax seal of the Officials. 

At least the march to the building wasn’t an everyday occurrence. It was a special day—the first day—of a new Speaker’s reign. 

The Runner walked to the front door and waited, watching her. She adverted her eyes and pulled the parchment from the envelope. 

You can do this, Renna. 

She pushed the intercom button and spoke, praying her voice wouldn’t falter. “Citizens of the Outpost, my name is Renna James, and I am your new Speaker. I do not know what happened to your previous Speaker, but I’m honored to take over this prestigious role.”

Renna paused, panic threatening to take over. Something happened to Jovi? She forced her mind to focus on the paper and not on the sweet girl she grew up with. “Two Runners entered the forest last night, and both returned, with a new set of rules, effective immediately.” 

Clearing her throat, she continued. “You can no longer go into the meadow each morning after the Reading. The Gates will open for a brief period and then close and lock for seventy-two hours.”

The Runner’s gasp momentarily threw her off guard, but she continued. “You were provided a week’s worth of essentials—and will only be given a week’s supply at a time until your production quality improves.”

Dread filled her stomach at the news. This wasn’t how she wanted to begin her new position. “Medicine will need to be rationed until another shipment is available. Curfew is at 8:30 p.m. You may now leave your homes.” 

Renna waited for a few seconds, taking in a deep breath before she switched off the intercom. She rose from the desk and walked over to the Runner. “Do you know what happened to Jovi?” 

“No. Do us all a favor and don’t repeat that question. To anyone.” He gave her a slight nod before opening the door and leaving. 

The Guardian Officials who had escorted her before waited at the bottom of the stairs, and they repeated the same route back to her house. She was grateful for the escort this time because people stared at her from every doorway and sidewalk. Curiosity and shock lined their faces—their eyes asking the same question she wanted to know but couldn’t voice. 

Why was she the Speaker?